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Lovemore Meya Court Correspondent
A 52-year-old con woman allegedly swindled four people of $3 700 in Chitungwiza promising to help them in securing training vacancies at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.
Muchaneta Nhakwi of 5659 Unit J, Chitungwiza, allegedly took the desperate job seekers to the hospital where she introduced them as Zanu-PF youths.
Nhakwi also allegedly assured her victims by claiming to be “connected” to the authorities at the hospital.
The incidences took place in August this year when Nelly Zvekare made an application for the May 2015 intake for the training and handed it to Nhakwi.
It is alleged that this was after Nhakwi allegedly promised Zvekare a place since she was highly linked at the hospital.
Nhakwi demanded $800 which she claimed was an administration fee and told Zvekare that she could pay in instalments of $400.
On the date unknown to prosecutor Mr Norman Koropi but in August, Nhakwi took Zvekare and three others – Fatima Leven, Yeukai Chakanyuka and Irene Mangwandi – to the hospital.
It is alleged that on arrival, Nhakwi introduced the trio to the authorities at the hospital as Zanu-PF youths.
Nhakwi allegedly requested the authorities to consider them for the September intake. The three had applied for the training on different dates.
Further allegations are that Nhakwi demanded various figures from them ranging from $4 00 to $800, which she claimed was to be paid in instalments as interview fees among other paperwork.
The court heard that Nhakwi allegedly collected $1 300 from Zvekare, $400 from Leven, $1 050 from Chakanyuka, while Mangwandi lost $950.
It is alleged that the four were called for interviews at the hospital in September where it emerged that they could not make the grade.
They reported the matter to the police after Nhakwi failed to refund them leading to her arrest. Appearing before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo, Nhakwi was not asked to plead to four counts of fraud.
She was remanded to January 19 next year on $100 bail coupled with stringent conditions.
Online Reporter